Thursday, September 15, 2011

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, Illustrations by Dave McKean, ISBN 9780060530921 , Harper Collins, 2008, 309 pages
Teaser: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a graveyard?  Here is your chance.
Plot Summary: Nobody Owens is a regular boy by all means, except for the fact that he has been raised by ghosts and other denizens of the cemetery. The book begins by telling us how Nobody, Bod for short, comes to live in the graveyard.  After his family is murdered Bod survives and is raised in the local graveyard.  As he grows up he explores the graveyard and longs to see the outside world.  His guardian, Silas is there to guide him as he grows up.  Bod learns many things in the graveyard and eventually he wants to find out what happened to his real family and sets forth his journey of discovery. 
Critical Evaluation: This novel is told from the perspective of a young boy as he grows up in a graveyard. 
Author Information: According to the author's website http://www.neilgaiman.com/ "Neil Gaiman's work has been honoured with many awards internationally, including the Newbery and Carnegie Medals. His books and stories have also been honoured with 4 Hugos, 2 Nebulas, 1 World Fantasy Award, 4 Bram Stoker Awards, 6 Locus Awards, 2 British SF Awards, 1 British Fantasy Award, 3 Geffens, 1 International Horror Guild Award and 2 Mythopoeic Awards.
He was born in Hampshire, UK, and now lives in the United States. Gaiman credits librarians with fostering a life-long love of reading: "I wouldn't be who I am without libraries." He began his writing career as a journalist in England.  He started writing other things and his first big success was the 'Sandman' graphic novel 75 issue series. He has written many award winning books for children, teens and adults. Some of the titles include, Stardust, Coraline, Anansi Boys, American Gods, The Dangerous Alphabet, and Crazy Hair.  Many of his books have been made into movies.  
Genre: Paranormal, Gothic Horror, Fantasy
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Booktalking Ideas: Discuss what it would be like to be raised in a graveyard.
Reading Level/Interest Age: 10+
Challenge Issues:  The novel could be challenged due to the evil nature that some parts of the book contain, for example the telling of a murder and the fact that a boy is raised in a graveyard. If the book was challenged I would go to, ALA's Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials.
Why included? Neil Gaiman is a very popular author for all ages and this book was one of Boise Public Library's Young Adult Reader Choice Awards nominees a few years ago.

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